UC-NRLF 


B   ^   SDD   ShS 


\  > 


-  -         ^ 


THE 


Coto  Cljace, 


POEM  IN  THREE    CANTOS. 


BY 


Major  JOHN  ANDRE, 


ADJUTANT  GENERAL  TO  THE   BRITISH  ARMY 
IN  NEW  YORK,  IN   I780. 


ALBANY,  N.  Y.  : 

].  MUNSELL,  78  STATE  STREET. 

1866. 


A^^. 


Edition    ioo  Copies. 


PREFACE. 


941 


g«§  HE  fatirical  Poem  of  Major 
Andre,  entitled  The  Cow  Chace, 
has  been  regarded  with  addi- 
tional Intereft  from  its  being 
among  the  Laft  of  the  Writings  of  this  tal- 
ented but  indifcreet  young  Officer.  It  is 
founded  upon  an  unfuccefsful  Attempt  of  a 
Party  under  General  Wayne,  to  Capture  a 
Block-houfe  upon  the  Hudfon  in  New  Jer- 
fey,  and  but  a  fhort  Diftance  from  the  City 
of  New  York,  on  the  21ft  of  July,  1780. 

This  Blockhoufe  was  held  by  a  fmall 
Party  of  Loyalifl:  Refugees,  under  Colonel 
Cuyler,  but  at  this  Time  under  the  imme- 
diate Command  of  Captain  Thomas  Ward, 
and  was  built  to  cover  the  Operations  of 
fome  Wood  cutters  employed  in  the  Vi- 
cinity. 


ivi52752 


*> 


Prefc 


ace. 


The  prefent  Edition  is  printed  from  the 
firft,  as  it  appeared  at  Intervals  in  the 
Columns  of  Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  of 
New  York  City.  The  original  Notes  as 
printed  in  that  Paper,  are  here  preferved  as 
Foot  Notes,  while  all  the  additional  Notes 
are  given  at  the  End,  with  the  Authorities 
from  whence  derived. 

This  Poem  has  been  often  printed,  and 
from  the  tirll:,  has  enjoyed  a  certain  Degree 
of  Popularity.  Mr.  Sargent  in  his  Life  of 
Andre  intimates,  that  the  Theme  may  have 
been  fuggefted  by  the  Fa6t,  that  the  Author 
then  boarded  with  John  Thompfon,  the 
Wood-cutting  Agent  at  New  York,  and 
then  engaged  at  this  Place.  The  Piece  is 
faid  to  have  been  written  at  Head-Quarters 
No.  I  Broadway.  Dunlap  reports,  that  the 
Printer  received  the  laft  Canto  from  the 
Author,  on  the  Day  before  he  fet  out  to 
meet  Arnold. 

The  Army  under  General  Wafhington 
lay  at  this  Time  in  New  Jerfey,  a  few  Miles 
back  from  the  River,  in  Bergen  County,  in 


Preface.  5 

Pofition  to  obferve  the  Enemy,  but  too  weak 
for  any  aggreffive  Movement.  The  Ameri- 
cans were  in  great  Want  of  the  common 
NecefTaries  of  Life,  many  of  the  Soldiers 
were  barefooted,  mofl:  of  them  ragged,  and 
not  a  few  bitterly  complaining  under  their 
Privations,  and  apparently  on  the  Verge  of 

Mutiny. 

The  Expeftation  of  an  early  Arrival  of 
Troops  from  France,  imparted  Hope  to 
the  Continental  Army,  and  the  Difcontent 
which  they  fometimes  expreffed,  was  in  no 
Degree  Emulated  by  a  Defire  to  return  to 
the  Britifh  Allegiance. 

To  relieve  their  Wants  by  drawing  from 
the  Supplies  within  the  Enemy's  reach,  was 
a  Meafure  of  Policy,  fuggefted  by  the  firft 
Principles  of  Warfare,  and  led  to  repeated 
Attempts  of  this  Kind  during  the  Courfe  of 

this  Seafon. 

On  the  30th  of  Auguil:  it  was  reported 
in  the  Gazette  fo  often  quoted  in  thefe 
Pages,  that  "General  Wafhington,  the 
Marquis  de  La  Fayette,  Generals  Green  and 


6  Preface, 

Wayne,  with  many  other  Officers,  and  a 
large  Body  of  Rebels,  have  been  in  the 
Vicinity  of  Bergen  for  fome  Time  paft. 
They  have  taken  all  the  Forage  from  the 
Inhabitants  of  that  Place,  and  left  them 
deftitute  of  every  Thing  for  their  prefent 
and  Winter  Sublicence.  Their  Officers 
were  down  as  low  as  Prior's  Mills  laft  Fri- 
day, but  did  not  feem  inclined  to  make  any 
Attack.  Their  Artillery,  fave  fome  few 
Pieces,  with  their  Baggage,  are  about  twenty 
Miles  in  the  Country." 

Several  feparate  Editions  of  The  Cow 
Chace  has  been  publilhed,  and  it  has  often 
appeared  in  the  Columns  of  Periodicals,  and 
in  Colledtions  of  Poems  relating  to  this 
Period. 

As  a  Specimen  of  Literature,  while  it  has 
fome  Faults,  it  has  other  Points  of  great 
Beautv,  and  it  evervwhere  bears  Evidence 
that  its  Author  polfelfed  a  keen  Senfe  of 
the  Ludicrous,  and  the  Ability  to  feize  upon 
thofe  Points  of  his  Subjedt  which  allowed 
the  befl  Opportunity  for  its  Exercife. 


Preface.  7 

We  have  thought  proper  to  infert  as  an 
Introduction  to  the  Poem,  the  Preface  and 
Advertifement  of  the  London  Edition  of 
1 78 1,  and  fuch  Letters  and  Newfpaper 
Articles,  as  might  moll  fully  prefent  the 
Reports  of  both  Sides  upon  the  Subjed:, 
with  many  little  Incidents  that  further  ferve 
to  give  it  Intereft.  The  Bitternefs  of  par- 
tizan  Feeling  which  fo  largely  influenced 
the  Statements  and  Opinions  of  Cotempo- 
raries,  has  long  fince  paft  into  Oblivion,  and 
no  one  will  at  this  Day,  cherifh  the  Memory 
of  our  illuftrious  Wafhington,  and  his  dif- 
tinguiflied  Companions  in  Arms  with  lefs 
Veneration,  by  knowing  what  was  faid 
againft  them  by  Partizans  within  the  Ene- 
my's Lines,  who  had  every  Motive  for 
weakening  their  Influence,  and  throwing 
Ridicule  upon  their  A61:s. 


INTRO  DUCTION. 

Advert  if e?nent  of  the  London  Edition:^ 

THE  following  Poem  was  written  by 
the  late  gallant  Major  Andre,  who 
was  condemned  to  die /c?r  doing  his  Duty  to 
his  King  and  Country,  by  a  Set  of  Mifcre- 
ants,  calling  themfelves  "  General  Officers'' 
in  the  American  Rebellion;  all  of  whom 
are  a  thoufand  Times  more  deferving  of 
Death  for  their  Crimes,  with  the  inhuman 

*The  1  CowChace:  |  an  |  Hcroick  Poem  in  three  Cantos,  | 

Written  at  New  York,  1780.  |  By  the  late  Major  Andre,  ]  with 

Explanatory  Notes,  by  the  Editor.  | 

«'  The  Man  who  fights,  and  runs  away,       \ 
"  May  live  to  fight  another  day,"  > 

Said  Butler  in  his   deathleis  lay  :  ) 

"  But  he  who  is  in  battle  flain,  ) 

"  Can  never  rife  to  fight  again  ;"  . 

As  wifely  thought  good  General  Wayne.     ) 

London  :  ]  Printed  for  John  Fielding,  No.  23  Pater-Nofter-Row, 

1781.  I       4to,  pp.  32. 

B 


lo  IntroduEiion. 

Wafiington  at  their  Head,  by  whofe  Author- 
ity their  Sentence  was  put  into  execution, 
and  who  has,  by  his  own  perfonal  Orders, 
caufed  more  than  fifteen  hundred  Britifli 
Subjeds  to  be  executed  lince  he  became  a 
Traitor,  for  the  bare  Profeffion  of  Loyalty, 
and  becaufe  they  would  not  add,  as  he  had 
done.  Perjury  and  Treafon  to  Cruelty  and 
Rapme.  Yet  are  there  even  Britons  fo  loft 
to  Shame,  and  fo  dead  to  Humanity,  as  to 
applaud  his  Conduft. 

Preface  of  the  London  Edition,  1781. 

THE  Poem  is  founded  on  the  Defeat  of 
the  Rebel  Generals,  Wayne,  Irving, 
and  Procter,  by  a  fmall  Body  of  Refugees, 
as  ftated  in  the  following  Gazettes.  The 
principal  Subjed:  is  the  taking  and  retaking 
of  the  Cattle  ;  that  Part  of  the  Story  afford- 
ing the  beft  Opportunity  for  Humour. 

The  lafl  Stanza  muft  awaken  the  Senfi- 
bility  of  the  Reader.  It  leems  to  have  been 
prophetic  of  the  difaflrous  Fate  of  the  ac- 


IntroduSiion. 


1 1 


compliihed  Author.  The  Poem  was  printed 
in  feparate  Cantos  at  New  York  ;  the  laft 
Canto  on  the  very  Day  the  Major  was  taken 
Prifoner. 

Letter  from  General  Wajhington  to  the  Preji- 
dent  of  Congrefs. 

[From  the  Pennfylvania  Packet,  Augull  i,  1780.] 

Head  Quarters,  (Bergen  County) 

July  26,  1780. 
Sir, 

Having  received  Information  that  there 

were  confiderable  Numbers  of  Cattle  and 

Horfes  on  Bergen  Neck,  within   Reach  of 

the  Enemy,  and  having  Reafon  to  fufped: 

that  they  meant  fliortly  to  draw  all  Supplies 

of  that  Kind  within  their  Lines,  I  detached 

Brigadier  General  Wayne,  on  the  20th,  with 

the  lirft  and  fecond  Pennfylvania  Brigades, 

with    four    Pieces   of  Artillery  attached  to 

them,   and    Colonel  Moyland's*   Regiment 

of  Dragoons  to  bring   them    off.      I  had  it 

alfo   in    Contemplation    to   attempt  at   the 

*  Stephen  Moylan. 


1 2  Introdu&ion. 

fame  Time,  the  Deflru6tion  of  a  Block- 
houfe  at  Bull's  Ferry,*  which  ferved  the 
Purpofe  of  covering  the  Enemy's  Wood- 
cutters, and  giving  Security  to  a  Body  of 
Refugees,  by  whom  it  was  garrifoned,  and 
who  committed  Depredations  upon  the 
well-affe6led  Inhabitants  for  many  Miles 
round. 

General  Wayne  having  difpofed  of  his 
Troops  in  fuch  a  Manner  as  to  guard  the 
different  Landing  Places  on  the  Bergen 
Shore,  upon  which  the  Enemy  might  throw 
over  Troops  from  York  Illand  to  intercept 
his  Retreat,  and  having  fent  down  his  Ca- 
valry to  execute  the  Bulinefs  of  driving  off 
the  Stock,  proceeded  with  the  iirif,  fecond 
and  tenth  Regiments,   and  the  Artillery,  to 

*  Bull's  Ferrv  is  a  Landing  and  Hamlet  at  the  Foot  of  the 
Palifades  on  the  New  Jcrfey  Shore,  oppofite  90th  Street  New 
York  City.  A  Steam  Ferry  now  conneds  it  with  the  City.  It 
is  the  Seat  of  a  Poll;  Office  of  this  Name. 

Blockhoufe  Point  is  a  Hiort  Diftancc  below,  and  derives  its 
Name  from  the  Blockhoufe  that  was  the  Scene  of  Events  defcribed 
in  Andre's  Poem.  The  Place  was  named  from  a  Family  who 
were  living  there  at  the  Time  of  the  Attack. 


IntroduEiion.  13 

the  Block-houfe,  which  he  found  furround- 
ed  by  an  Abatis  and  Stockade.  He  for 
fome  Time,  tried  the  EflFed;  of  his  Field 
Pieces  upon  it,  but  tho'  the  Fire  was  kept 
up  for  an  Hour,  they  were  found  too  light 
to  penetrate  the  Logs  of  which  it  was  con- 
ftrudted.  The  Troops  during  this  Time, 
being  galled  by  a  conftant  Fire  from  the 
Loop-holes  of  the  Houfe,  and  feeing  no 
Chance  of  making  a  Breach  with  Cannon, 
the  firft  and  fecond  Regiments,  notwith- 
ftanding  the  utmoft  Efforts  of  the  Officers  to 
reftrain  them,  ruilied  through  the  Abatis  to 
the  Foot  of  the  Stockade,  with  a  View  of 
forcing  an  Entrance,  which  was  found  im- 
practicable. 

This  Ad:  of  intemperate  Valour,  was  the 
Caufe  of  the  LolTes  fullained,  and  which 
amounted  in  the  whole,  to  three  Officers 
wounded,  15  non-commiffioned  and  Pri- 
vates killed,  and  46  non-commiffioned  and 
Privates  wounded.  The  wounded  Officers 
are.  Lieutenants  Hammond  and  Crawford, 
of  the  lirft,  and  Lieutenant  De  Hart,  of  the 


14-  Introdu&ion. 

fecond,  the  lafl  lince  dead.  I  cannot  but 
mention  his  Death  with  Regret,  as  he  was 
a  young  Gentleman  of  amiable  Qualities, 
and  who  promifed  fair  to  be  fervicable  to 
his  Country. 

The  Dragoons,  in  the  mean  Time,  drove 
off  the  Stock  which  were  found  on  the 
Neck;  the  Sloops  and  Wood  boats  in  the 
Dock  near  the  Block-houfe  were  burnt, 
and  a  few  People  on  board  them  made  Pri- 
foners. 

I  have  been  thus  particular,  left  the  Ac- 
counts qf  this  Affair  fhould   have   reached 
Philadelphia  much  exaggerated,  as  is  com- 
monly the  Cafe  on  fuch  Occalions. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be. 

With  the  greateft  refpedt.  Sir, 
Your  Excellency's  moft 
Obedient  Servant, 

George  Washington. 
His  Excellency  Samuel  Huntington,  Efquire. 

Publilhed  by  Order  of  Congrefs. 
Charles  Thompfoiiy  Sec'y- 


IntroduBion.  '5 

Neivffaper  Notices. 

[From  Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  No.  398,  J»ly  22,  -TSo-] 

Jonathan  thefe  Babes  of  thine, 
Are  not  all  Children  genuine. 

Yefterday  Morning  about  nine  o'Clock, 
Generals  Wayne   and   Irwin,  with  the  ift 
and  2d  Pennfylvania  Brigades  of  Infantry, 
Colonel  Moylan's  Cavalry,  and  Proftor's 
Artillery,    the    Flower    of    Waihmgton  s 
Army,    confifting    of  about   1800  Troops, 
with   6   fix  Pounders,   and   one   Howitzer, 
appeared  in  View  of  Col.  Cuyler's  Refugee 
Port,  on  the  Jerfey  Shore,  which  was  then 
commanded   by   Captain    Thomas   Ward; 
about  ten  o'Clock  they  advanced  with  their 
Cannon,    within    one    hundred   and    fixty 
Yards  of  the   Refugee  Works,   and  com- 
menced a  tremendous   Cannonade,  which 
kfted  till  half  paft  eleven.    They  attempted 

.Col  Thomas  Proaor  was  a  Native  of  Ireland,  and  fettled 
i„  America  before  the  Revolution.  By  Trade  he  was  a  Carpen- 
„.      H=  died  at  Philadelphia,  March  ,6,  .807,  aged  67  \  e  ,s 

•  ^  ;.,  t;f    Paul's  Church  Yard  in  that 

and  his  Rcmai.ts  were  interred  in  St.  l^aul  s  i^imicn 


City. 


t6  IntroduSiion. 

to  ftorm  the  Abatis,  but  were  repulfed  with 
the  Lofs  of  about  ninety  killed  and  wound- 
ed, among  which  are  five  Officers.  The 
Lofs  of  the  Refugees,  is  four  killed  and 
eight  (lightly  wounded.  No  Veterans  could 
have  behaved  better  than  thefe  few  Loyal- 
ifts ;  and  his  Excellency  the  Commander 
in  Chief,  has  expreifed  his  Thanks  and 
Approbation,  to  this  LOYAL  BAND,  for 
their  fpirited  and  gallant  Behaviour. 

[From  Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  No.  399,  July  26,  i  780.] 

The  following  are  the  Names  of  the  brave 
Refugees  that  were  killed  and  wounded  at 
Colonel  Cuyler's  Refugee  Poft,  near  Fort 
Lee,  on  Hudfon's  River,  on  Friday  the  21ft 
Inft.  (as  mentioned  in  our  laft,)  viz.  Thomas 
Philips,  of  the  Artillery,  John  McMurdy, 
with  another  Man  and  a  Negro  killed. 

Lieutenants  George  and  Abfalom  Bull, 
Alexander  Sharp,  John  and  Ezekiel  Feaiy, 
and  John  Mullan  wounded. 


IntroduEiion,  17 

The  principal  Rebel  Officers  on  the  At- 
tack, were  Colonels  Moylan,  Stewart,  Hays, 
Prodtor,  and  the  Majors  Lee*  and  More. 

Thus  the  chofen  Band  of  Wafliington's 
Army,  were  repulfed  by  a  few  determined 
Loyalifts ;  and  we  have  Reafon  to  believe 
the  Lofs  of  the  Rebels  much  greater  than 
has  yet  been  afcertained  ;  and  to  add  more 
to  the  Spirit  of  the  Refugees,  a  Party  under 
the  Command  of  the  brave  Captain  Ward, 
purfued  the  Rear  of  the  retreating  Army 
upwards  of  four  Miles,  retook  twenty  Head 
of  Cattle  that  were  carried  off  from  the  well 
affected  Neighbourhood,  killed  one  Rebel, 
and  made  Prifoner  of  General  Wayne's  Ser- 
vant and  another. 

The  following  Approbation  was  ftgnified  to 
Colonel  Cuyler,  by  the  Adjutant  General. 

Head  Quarters,  July  21,  1780. 
Sir,  The  Commander  in  Chief  admiring 

*  Major  Henry  Lee,  afterwards  a  General  in  the  Service,  and 
Governor  of  Virginia.  He  was  the  Father  of  Robert  E.  Lee, 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Rebel  Armies,  in  the  War  of  1861-5. 


1 8  IntroduEiion. 

the  Gallantry  of  the  Refugees,  who  in  fuch 
fmall  Numbers,  defended  their  Poft  againft 
fo  very  confiderable  a  Corps,  and  withftood 
both  their  Cannon  and  AlTault,  defires  his 
very  particular  Acknowledgement  of  their 
Merit  may  be  teftified  to  them. 

His  Excellency  requefts  you  will  give  in 
a  Return  of  the  Numbers  prefent  at  this 
fpirited  Defence,  that  he  may  give  Direc- 
tions for  uniform  Cloathing  and  Hats  be- 
ing given  them  from  the  Infpedor  General's 
Office. 

In  Future,  your  Requifition  of  Ammuni- 
tion will  be  valid  with  the  Ordnance. 
I  have  the  the  honour  to  be, 
Sir,  your  moft  obedient, 
and  moft  humble  Servant, 

John  Andre,  A.  D.  G. 

[Quoted  in  Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  No.  400,  July  29,  1780.] 

New-Jersey. 

"Chatham,  July  26.  Laft  Friday,  General 
Wayne,  with  a  Detachment  of  1800  Men, 


IntroduEiion.  19 

made  an  AlTault  upon  a  Blockhoufe  of  the 
Enemy  near  Bull's  Ferry,  on  the  North 
River,  but  finding  it  very  ftrong,  [held  by  only 
84  Refugees)  drew  off  the  Men.  Our  Lofs 
we  are  told,  amounts  to  near  50  Killed  and 
Wounded."      [But  the  Returns  fay  150.) 

Card  in  Rivingtons  Gazette,  July  29,  1780. 
"  A  Lady  prefents  her  Compliments  to 
the  Sir  Clement  of  Philadelphia  Ball  Room, 
and  defires  the  next  Country  Dances  may 
commence  with  a  new  Movement,  called, 

A  Trip  to  the  Blockhouse, 

OR  THE 

Wood  Cutters  Triumph, 

In  Compliment  to  a  certain  General,  who 
(emulating  his  Brother  Arnold,)  was  lately 
checked  on  the  North  River,  by  a  Malheu- 
reufe  Event,  and  his  Glories  (now  on  the 
Wane)  threatened  with  an  infuperable  Mor- 
tification." 


20  IntroduEiton. 

(Publiilied  by  Authority.) 

ExtraB  of  a  Letter  from  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton to  Lord  George  Germain,  dated 
Eaji  Haffipton,  Suffolk  County,  Long  IJland, 
Auguji  20,  1780. 

[From  the  London  Gazette.] 

I  have  the  Satisfaction  of  communicating 
to  your  Lordfliip  an  Inftance  of  Courage, 
which  reflects  the  greatefl  Honour  on  a 
fmall  Body  of  the  Refugees. 

h^o\)X  feventy  of  them  had  taken  Poft  on 
a  Part  of  the  oppoiite  Shore  on  the  North 
River,  called  Bull's  Ferry,  where  they  had 
fortified  themfelves  with  a  Block-houfe  and 
Stockade,  to  be  protected  in  cutting  Wood, 
the  Labour  they  were  employed  in  for  their 
Maintenance. 

A  Corps  of  near  two  thoufand  Rebels, 
under  their  Generals  Wayne,  Irving  and 
ProCtor,  with  feven  Pieces  of  Cannon,  made 
an  Attack  upon  them  on  the  21ft  ult.  Not- 
withftanding  a  Cannonade  of  three  Hours, 


Introdu&ion.  2 1 

almoft  every  Shot  of  which  penetrated 
through  the  Block-houfe,  and  an  Attempt 
to  carry  the  Place  by  AfTault,  they  were 
repulfed  by  thefe  brave  Men,  with  the  Lofs 
of  a  great  many  killed  and  wounded.  The 
Exertions  of  the  Refugees  did  not  ceafe : 
after  having  refifted  fo  great  a  Force,  they 
followed  the  Enemy,  feized  their  Stragglers, 
and  rej cued  from  theyn  the  Cattle  they  were 
driving  from  the  neighbouring  DiJiriB. 

The  Block-houfe  which  I  vifited,  was 
pierced  with  fifty-two  Shot  in  one  Face 
only,  and  the  fmall  Guns  that  were  in  it 
were  difmounted.  Six  of  the  Refugees 
were  killed  and  fifteen  wounded, — the  far 
greater  Part  in  the  Block-houfe.* 

*  It  is  highly  probable,  that  Major  Andre  accompanied  General 
Clinton  on  this  Vifit  to  the  Blockhoufc. 


22 


IntroduBion. 


[From  Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  No.  439,  December  13, 1 780.] 

Head  Quarters,  iith  Dec,  1780. 

Sir,  I  have  the  Pleafure  offending  you,  by 
the  Direction  of  his  Excellency  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  the  enclofed  Extradl  of  a 
Letter  which  he  has  received  by  the  laft 
Pacquet,  from  Lord  George  Germain,  one  of 
his  Majefty's  principal  Secretaries  of  State, 
and  which  he  is  happy  to  communicate  to 
you  by  the  firft  Opportunity. 

I  am.  Sir,  your  moll  obedient 
humble  Servant, 

Fred.  Mackenzie,  D.  A.  Gen. 

Capt.  Ward,*  Loyal  Refugees. 

*  Capt.  Thomas  Ward,  was  from  Newark,  New  Jerfey,  and 
had  originally  Tided  with  the  Whig  Party.  He  was  the  Leader 
of  a  Band  of  Outlaws,  and  plundered  wherever  he  found  Oppor- 
tunity.— Sabine's  LoyaliJIs,  i,  400. 

Ward  was  fubfequently  transferred  to  a  Block  Houfe  at  Ber- 
gen Point,  where  on  the  7th  of  Oftober,  he  was  again  attacked 
by  a  Party  of  Infantry  and  Horfe,  reported  by  Britifh  Accounts 
as  two  hundred  ftrong,  and  fucceeded  in  refilling  them.  On  the 
2ift  of  November  he  attempted  to  furprife  the  American  Guard 
at  Newark  and  was  repulfed. 


IntroduEiton.  23 

ExtraB  of  a  Letter  from  Lord  George 
Germain,  to  his  Excellency,  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  dated  \th  OBober,  1780. 

"  The    very    extraordinary    Inftance    of 
Courage  fliewn   by  the  Loyal  Refugees,  in 
the  Affair  of  Bull's  Ferry,   of  which   you 
make  fuch  honourable  Mention,  is  a  pleat- 
ing Proof  of  the  Spirit  and  Refolution  with 
which  Men  in  their  Circumftances  will  ad: 
againft    their   OpprefTors,    and    how    great 
Advantage  the  King's  Troops  may  derive 
from  employing  thofe  of  approved  Fidelity. 
And  his  Majefty,  to  encourage  fuch  Exer- 
tions, commands  me  to  defire  you  will  ac- 
quaint the  Survivors  of  the  brave  Seventy, 
that  their  intrepid  Behaviour  is  approved  of 
by  their  Sovereign." 


THE 


COW    CHACE. 


Canto  I.^ 


^  I  ^O  drive  the  Kine,  one  Summer's  Morn, 

The  Tanner^  took  his  Way, — 
The  Calf  fhall  rue  that  is  unborn 
The  Jumbling  of  that  Day. 

And  Wayne  defcending  Steers  (hall  know, 

And  tauntingly  deride. 
And  call  to  Mind  in  ev'ry  Low^ 

The  Tanning  of  /ji's  Hide. 

*  The  References  by  Figures,  are  to  correfponding  Numbers 
in  the  Notes  at  the  End  of  the  Poem. 

D 


THE 


COW    CHACE 


Canto  I.* 


^  I  ^O  drive  the  Kine,  one  Summer's  Morn, 

The  Tanner^  took  his  Way, — 
The  Calf  fhall  rue  that  is  unborn 
The  Jumbling  of  that  Day. 

And  Wayne  defcending  Steers  (hall  know, 

And  tauntingly  deride. 
And  call  to  Mind  in  ev'ry  Low^ 

The  Tanning  of  his  Hide. 

*  The  References  by  Figures,  are  to  correfponding  Numbers 
in  the  Notes  at  the  End  of  the  Poem. 

D 


26  T^he  Cow  Chace, 

Yet  Bergen  Cows  ftill  ruminate 

Unconfcious  in  the  ftall. 
What  mighty  Means  were  ufed  to  get 

And  lofe  them  after  all. 

For  many  Heroes  bold  and  brave 
From  New-Bridge^  and  Tapaan,'* 

And  thofe  that  drink  PalTaick'sS  Wave, 
And  thofe  that  eat  Soupaan.^ 

And  Sons  of  diflant  Delaware 

And  ftill  remoter  Shannon,^ 
And  Major  Lee^  with  Horfes  rare 

And  Prod;er9  with  his  Cannon. 

All  wond'rous  proud  in  Arms  they  came 

What  Hero  could  refufe  ? 
To  tread  the  rugged  Path  to  Fame 

Who  had  a  Pair  of  Shoes.'° 


l^he  Cow  Chace.  27 

ktfix  the  Hoft  with  fweating  Buff, 

Arriv'd  at  Freedom's  Pole,"         [enough 

When    Wayne,   who    thought   he'd   Time 
Thus  fpeechified  the  Whole  : 

"  O  ye  whom  Glory  doth  unite 
"  Who  Freedom's  Caufe  efpoufe 

"  Whether  the  Wing  that's  doom'd  to  fight 
"  Or  that  to  drive  the  Cows  : 

"  'Ere  yet  you  tempt  your  further  Way 

"  Or  into  Adion  come, 
"  Hear  Soldiers  what  I  have  to  lay 

"  And  take  a  Pint  of  Rum. 

"  Intemp'rate  Valour  then  will  firing, 
"  Each  nervous  Arm  the  better 

"  So  all  the  Land  fhall  lO  fing 
"  And  read  the  Gen'ral's  Letter.'^ 


28  T^be  Cow  Chace. 

"  Know  that  fome  paltry  Refugees 
"  Whom  I've  a  Mind  to  fight, 

"  Are  playing  H — 1  amongfl  the  Trees, 
"  That  grow  on  yonder  Height. 

"  Their  Fort  and  Block  Houfes  we'll  level, 
"  And  deal  a  horrid  Slaughter, 

*'  We'll  drive  the  Scoundrels  to  the  Devil 
"  And  ravifh  Wife  and  Daughter. 

"  I,  under  Cover  of  th'  Attack 
"  Whilft  you  are  all  at  Blows, 

"  From  Englifh  Neighb'rood'^andTinack"^ 
"  Will  drive  away  the  Cows. 

"  For  well  you  know  the  latter  is 

"  The  ferious  Operation 
"  And  fighting  with  the  Refugees 

"  Is  only  Demonftration." 


The  Cow  Chace.  29 

His  daring  Words  from  all  the  Crowd 

Such  great  Applaufe  did  gain 
That  every  Man  declar'd  aloud 

Yov  ferious  Work  with  Wayne. 

Then  from  the  Calk  of  Rum  once  more 

They  took  a  heady  Jill, 
When  one  and  all  they  loudly  fwore 

They'd  fight  upon  the  Hill. 

But  here — the  Mufe  has  not  a  Strain 

Befitting  fuch  great  Deeds, 
Huzza  they  cried,  huzza  for  Wayne 

And  fliouting — did  their  Needs. 


End  of  Canto  the  Firji. 


THE 


COW    CHACE. 


Canto  II. ^s 

IV TEAR  his  meridian  Pomp  the  Sun 

Had  journey'd  from  the  Horizon, 
When  fierce  the  dufky  Tribe  mov'd  on 
Of  Heroes  drunk  as  Poifon. 


The  Sounds  confuf'd  of  boafting  Oaths, 

Reecho'd  thro'  the  Wood, 
Some  vow'd  to  fleep  in  dead  Men's  Cloaths, 

And  fome  to  fwim  in  Blood. 


The  Cow  Chace.  3^ 

At  Irvine's  Nod  'twas  fine  to  fee, 

The  Left  prepare  to  fight, 
The  while  the  Drovers,  Wayne  and  Lee, 

Drew  off  upon  the  Right. 

Which  Irvine  'twas,  Fame  don't  relate. 

Nor  can  the  Mufe  affift  her. 
Whether  'twas  he  that  cocks  a  Hat, 

Or  he  that  gives  a  Glifter.'^ 

For  greatly  one  was  fignaliz'd 
That  fought  at  Chefnut-Hill, 

And  Canada  immortaliz'd. 
The  Vender  of  the  Pill. 

Yet  the  Attendance  upon  Proder, 
They  both  might  have  to  boaft  of; 

For  there  was  Bufinefs  for  the  Dodor, 
And  Hatts  to  be  difpof'd  of. 


32  The  Cow  Chace. 

Let  none  uncandidly  infer. 
That  Stirling  wanted  Spunk, 

The  felf-made  Peer  had  fure  been  there. 
But  that  the  Peer  was  drunk. 

But  turn  we  to  the  Hudfon's  Banks, 
Where  ftood  the  modeft  Train, 

With  Purpofe  firm,  tho'  ilender  Ranks, 
Nor  car'd  a  Pin  for  Wayne. 

For  them  the  unrelenting  Hand 

Of  Rebel  Fury  drove. 
And  tore  from  ev'ry  genial  Band, 

Of  Friendship  and  of  Love. 

And  fome  within  a  dungeon's  Gloom, 

By  mock  Tribunals  laid. 
Had  waited  long  a  cruel  Doom, 

Impending  o'er  their  Heads. 


The  Cow  Chace.  3.^ 

Here,  one  bewails  a  Brother's  Fate, 

There  one  a  Sire  demands, 
Cut  off,  alas !  before  their  Date 

By  ignominious  Hands. 

And  filver'd  Grandfires  here  appear'd, 

In  deep  Diftrefs  ferene. 
Of  reverend  Manners,  that  declar'd, 

That  better  Days  they'd  feen. 

Oh  curf'd  Rebellion  thefe  are  thine 
Thine  all  thefe  Tales  of  Woe, 

Shall  at  thy  dire  infatiate  Shrine 
Blood  never  ceafe  to  flow  ? 

And  now  the  Foe  began  to  lead 

His  Forces  to  th'  Attack ; 

Balls  whiftling  unto  Balls  fucceed. 

And  made  the  Block-houfe  crack. 
E 


34  ^^^  Cow  Chace. 

No  Shot  could  pafs,  if  you  will  take 
The  Gen'ral's  Word  for  true  ;'7 

But  'tis  a  d ble  Miftake, 

For  every  Shot  went  thro'. 

The  firmer  as  the  Rebels  prelT'd, 

The  loyal  Heroes  ftand  ; 
Virtue  had  nerv'd  each  honefl:  Breaft, 

And  Induftry  each  Hand. 

"  In  valour's  Phrenzy,-^'  Hamilton 

"  Rode  like  a  Soldier  big, 
"  And  Secretary  Harrifon,'^ 

"  With  Pen  ftuck  in  his  Wig. 

"  But  leaft  their  Chieftain  Wafliington, 
"  Should  mourn  them  in  the  Mumps,f 

*  Vide  Lee's  Trial.     (See  Note  18.) 

f  A  Diforder  prevalent  in  the  Rebel  Lines.      (See  Note  20.) 


The  Cow  Cbace.  35 

"  The  Fate  of  Withrington  to  ihun, 
"  Thought  behind  the  Stumps."* 

But  ah,  Thadaeus  Poffet,  why 

Should  thy  poor  Soul  elope, 
And  why  fliould  Titus  Hooper  die, 

Ah  die — without  a  Rope ! 

Apoftate  Murphy,  thou  to  whom 

Fair  Shela  ne'er  was  cruel. 
In  Death  Jhalt  hear  her  mourn  thy  Doom, 

"  Auch  wou'd  you  die  my  Jewel  ?" 

Thee,  Nathan  Pumpkin  I  lament. 

Of  melancholy  Fate,  -;    * 

The  Grey  Goofe  ftolen  as  he  went,     - 
In  his  Heart's  Blood  was  wet." 

*  "  The  Merit  of  thefe  Lines,  which  is  doubtlefs  very  great,  can 
"  only  be  felt  by  true  Connoifleures  converfant  in  antient  Song." 
(Sec  Note  21.) 


36  The  Cow  Chace. 

Now  as  the  Fight  was  further  fought, 

And  Balls  began  to  thicken, 
The  Fray  alfum'd,  the  Gen'rals  thought. 

The  Colour  of  a  Licking. 

Yet  undifmay'd  the  Chiefs  command. 

And  to  redeem  the  Day, 
Cry,  Soldiers^  charge  I  they  hear,  they  fland. 

They  turn,  and  run  away. 


End  of  Canto  the  Second. 


THE 


COW    CHACE. 


Canto  111.^3 


^^TOT  all  delights  the  bloody  Spear, 

Or  horrid  Din  of  Battle, 
There  are,  I'm  fure,  who'd  like  to  hear 
A  Word  about  the  Cattle. 


The  Chief  whom  we  beheld  of  late. 
Near  Schralenburgh^'^  haranguing, 

At  Yan  Van  Poop's,^5  unconfcious  fat 
Of  Irving's  hearty  Banging. 


38  The  Cow  Choice, 

Whilft  valiant  Lee,  with  Courage  wild, 

Moft  bravely  did  oppofe 
The  Tears  of  Woman  and  of  Child, 

Who  begg'd  he'd  leave  the  Cows. 

But  Wayne,  of  fympathiling  Heart, 

Required  a  Relief 
Not  all  the  Bleffings  could  impart 

Of  Battle  or  of  Beef, 

For  now  a  Prey  to  female  Charms, 
His  Soul  took  more  delight  in 

A  lovely  ^Hamadryad's  Arms, 
Than  driving  Cows  or  fighting ; 

A  Nymph,  the  Refugees  had  drove 
Far  from  her  native  Tree, 

*  A  Deity  of  the  Woods. 


The  Cow  Chace,  39 

Juft  happen'd  to  be  on  the  Move, 
When  up  came  Wayne  and  Lee. 

She  in  mad  Anthony's  fierce  Eye 

The  Hero  faw  pourtray'd, 
And  all  in  Tears  (he  took  him  by 

—The  Bridle  of  his  Jade.^^ 

"  Hear,  faid   the   Nymph,    O  great  Com- 
"  No  human  Lamentations  ;        [mander  ! 

"  The  Trees  you  fee  them  cutting  yonder 
"  Are  all  my  near  Relations ; 

"  And  I,  forlorn  !   implore  thine  Aid, 

"  To  free  the  facred  Grove ; 
"  So  fliall  thy  Prowefs  be  repaid    . 

"  With  an  Immortal's  Love." 

Nov^  fome,  to  prove  fhe  was  a  Goddefs, 
Said  this  enchanting  Fair 


^o  'rhe  Cow  Chace. 

Had  late  retired  from  the  Bodies,^ 
In  all  the  Pomp  of  War ; 

That  Drums  and  merry  Fifes  had  play'd 

To  honour  her  Retreat, 
And  Cunningham^^  himfelf  convey'd 

The  Lady  thro'  the  ftreet. 

Great  Wayne,  by  foft  Compaffion  fway'd, 

To  no  Enquiry  ftoops. 
But  takes  the  fair  afflided  Maid 

Right  into  Yan  Van  Poop's. 

So  Roman  Anthony,  they  fay, 
Difgrac'd  th'  imperial  Banner, 

And  for  a  Gipfy  ^^  loft  a  Day, 
Like  Anthony  the  Tanner. 

*  A  cant  Appellation  given  amongft  the  Soldiery  to  the  Corps 
that  has  the  Honour  to  guard  his  Majefty's  Perfon, 


The  Cow  Chace.  4^ 

The  Hamadryad  had  but  half 
Receiv'd  Redrefs  from  Wayne, 

When  Drums  and  Colours,   Cow  and  Calf, 
Came  down  the  Road  amain. 

All  in  a  Cloud  of  Dull  were  feen 
The  Sheep,  the  Horfe,  the  Goat, 

The  gentle  Heifer,  Afs  obfcene, 
The  Yearling,  and  the  Shoat, 

And  Pack-horfes  with  Fowls  came  by, 

Befeather'd  on  each  Side, 
Like  Pegafus,  the  Horfe  that  I 

And  other  Poets  ride. 

Sublime  upon  his  Stirrups  rofe 

The  mighty  Lee  behind. 
And  drove  the  terror-fmitten  Cows, 

Like  Chaff  before  the  Wind. 
F 


4-2  The  Cow  Chace. 

But  fudden  fee  the  Woods  above 

Pour  down  another  Corps, 
All  helter  fkelter  in  a  Drove, 

Like  that  I  lung  before. 

Irving  and  Terror  in  the  Van, 

Came  flying  all  abroad. 
And  Cannon,  Colours,  Horfe  and  Man 

Ran  tumbling  to  the  Road. 

Still  as  he  fled,  'twas  Irving's  Cry, 

And  his  Example  too, 
"  Run  on,  my  merry  Men  all — For  why  ? 
"  The  Shot  will  not  go  thro'."* 

*  Five  Refugees  ('tis  true)  were  found 

Stiff  on  the  Bloci<houfe  floor, 
But  then  'tis  thought  the  Shot  went  round. 

And  in  at  the  back  Door. 


7'/6^  Cow  Chace.  43 

As  when  two  Kennels  in  the  Street, 

Swell'd  with  a  recent  Rain, 
In  gulhing  Streams  together  meet, 

And  feek  the  neighbouring  Drain ; 

So  met  thefe  dung-born  Tribes  in  one, 

As  fwift  in  their  Career, 
And  fo  to  Newbridge  they  ran  on, — 

But  all  the  Cows  got  clear. 

Poor  Parfon  Caldwell,^-"^  all  in  Wonder, 

Saw  the  returning  Train, 
And  mourn'd  to  Wayne  the  lack  of  Plunder, 

For  them  to  fteal  again. 

For  'twas  his  Right  to  feize  the  Spoil,  and 
To  Share  with  each  Commander 

As  he  had  done  at  Staten  Illand, 
With  froft-bit  Alexander.3° 


44-  '1-he  Cow  Chace, 

In  his  Difmay  the  frantick  Prieft 

Began  to  grow  prophetic, 
You'd  fwore,  to  fee  his  lab'ring  Breaft, 

He'd  taken  an  Emetic. 

"  I  view  a  future  Day,"  faid  he, 
"  Brighter  than  this  Day  dark  is, 

"  And  you  fhall  fee  what  you  fliall  fee, — 
"  Ha  !  ha  !  one  pretty  Marquis. 3^ 

"  And  he  fhall  come  to  Paulus  Hook,3^ 
"  And  great  Atchievements  think  on, 

"  And  make  a  Bow,  and  take  a  Look, 
"  Like  Satan  over  Lincoln. 

"  And  all  the  Land  around  fhall  glory 
"  To  fee  the  Frenchmen  caper, 

*'  And  pretty  Sufan^^  tell  the  Story 
"  In  the  next  Chatham  Paper." 


The  Cow  Chace.  4.5 

This  folemn  Prophecy,  of  courfe, 

Gave  all  much  Confolation, 
Except  to  Wayne,  who  loft  his  Horfe 

Upon  the  great  Occalion. 

His  Horfe  that  carried  all  his  Prog, 

His  military  Speeches, 
His  corn-ftalk  Whilky  for  his  Grog, 

Blue  Stockings,  and  brown  Breeches. 

And  now  I've  clof'd  my  epic  Strain, 

And  tremble  as  I  fhew  it. 
Left  this  fame  Warrio-drover,  Wayne, 

Should  ever  catch  the  Poet. 34- 


FINIS. 


NOTES. 


Note  I,  Page  25. 
This  Canto  was   firft  printed  in  Rivington's  Boy^l  Gazette, 
No.  405,  Aiiguft  16,  1780. 

Note  2,  Page  25. 

Wayne's  legal  Occupation. — Note  in  London  Edition. 
Before  entering  the  Service  Wayne  was  a  Land  Surveyor. 

Note  3,  Page  26. 
New-Bridge,  a  Hamlet    in  Bergen  County,  N.  J.,  about  four- 
teen Miles  northweft  of  Jerfey  City. 

Note  4,  Page  26. 
Tappan  was  within  the  prefent  Limits  of  Orangetown,  Rock- 
land County,  N.  Y.      This  was  the  Scene  of  Andre's  Trial  and 
Execution,  a  few  Weeks  after  this  Canto  was  written. 

Note  5,  Page  26. 
A  River  in  New  Jerfey. — Note  in  London  Edition. 


Note  6,  Page  26. 

Harty  Pudding  made  of   the  Meal  of  Indian  Corn. 
London  Edition. 


-Note  in 


+8 


Notes. 


Note  7,  Page  26. 
The  Number  of   Irifh  in  the  Pennfylvania  Line  often  caufed 
it  to  be  called  in  the  War  the  Line  of  Ireland.  —  Sargent's  Life  of 
Andr},  237. 

Note  8,  Page  26. 
Major  Henry  Lee  of  the  Dragoons. 

Note  9,  Page  26. 
Captain  Thomas  Proftor. 

Note  10,  Page  26. 

"  They  are  of  a  thin  long-legged  Make,  moil:  of  them  with- 
out Shoes  and  Stockings,  and  without  Coats,  and  fometimes  they 
throw  away  their  Arms  when  they  are  clofe  purfued."  MS. 
Mather's  Journal,  quoted  by  Mr.  Sargent,  in  his  Life  of  Andre, 

p.  237- 

Note  II,  Page  27. 
•'  Freedom's — /.   e.    Liberty  Pole — a  long  Tree  ftuck  in  the 
Ground." — Note   in   London   Edition.     Its  Place   was  between 
Orangetown  and  Tinack. — Sargent's  Andre,  237. 

Note  12,  Page  27. 
Mr,  Sargent  fuggefts   that  this   may  have   been  the  Letter  of 
General  Wafhington,  dated  July  26,  1 780,  and  printed  on  Page 
12  of  this  Volume. — Sargenfs  Andre,  238. 

Note  13,  Page  28. 
Englifh  Neighborhood,  a  Settlement  in  New  Jerfey,  then  within 
the  American  Lines. 


Notes.  4-9 

Note  14,  Page  28. 
Tinack,  a  Hamlet  in  Bergen  County,  New  Jerfey. 

Note  15,  Page  30. 
This  Canto  was  firft  publifhed  in  Rivington's  i^^jrf/  Gaxette, 
No.  409,  Auguft  30,  1780. 

Note  16,  Page  31. 
One  of  the  Irvines  was  a  Hatter  and  the  other  a  Phyfician. — 
liote  in  London  Edition.  Dr.  William  Irvine,  after  two  Years' 
Captivity  in  Canada,  now  commanded  the  2d  Pcnnfylvania  Regi- 
ment. Brigadier  James  Irvine  of  the  Militia,  it  will  be  recol- 
leded,  was  taken  at  Chefnut  Hill,  December  \ii^— Sargent's 
Andre,  240. 

Note  17,  Page  33. 
"  So  WaOiington  wrote  to  the  Congrefs  ;  a  body  of  Men  at 
firft  of  fome  Reputation,  but  now  confifting  only  of  Bankrupts 
and- Knaves,— always  excepting  the  renowned  Johny  Wither- 
spooN,  who  is  perfeaiy  adapted  to  his  Situation  ;  concerning 
whom  it  may  be  ufeful  to  obferve,  that  it  has  not  yet  been  fettled 
which  of  the  three  he  is  moft  fond  of,— Herefy,  Sedition,  or 
Strong  Toddy  :  Perhaps  he  may  be  beft  fuited  by  the  Bath 
Motto,  Tria  Juncta  in  \J^o:'—Note  in  London  Edition. 

Note  18,  Page  34. 
Wayne  attributed    his  Failure   to  the  Lightnefs  of  his  Pieces, 
which  he  thought  made   no   Impreffion    upon   the  Walls  of  the 
Houfe.      In  this    he  was  probably  miftaken.— %r/f/j  Wajhing- 
ton,  vii,  117. 

G 


^o  Notes. 

Note  19,  Page  34. 
"  When  General  Wafliington  aflced  me  if  I  would  remain  in 
Front,  and  retain  the  Command,  or  he  fhould  take  it,  and  I  had 
anfwcrcd  that  I  undoubtedly  would,  ana  that  he  fliould  fee  that  I 
my  felf  fhould  be  one  of  the  laif  to  leave  the  Field;  Colonel  Ham- 
ilton flourifhing  his  Sword  immediately  exclaimed — that's  right, 
my  dear  General,  and  I  will  ftay,  and  we  will  all  die  here  on  this 
Spot,  I  could  not  but  be  furprifed  at  his  Expreffion,  but  ob- 
ferving  him  much  fluftcred  and  in  a  fort  of  Phrenzy  of  Valour, 
I  calmly  requefted  him  to  obferve  me  well,  and  tell  me  if  I  did 
not  appear  tranquil  and  Mafter  of  my  Faculties  :  his  Anfwer  was, 
that  hemuft  own  that  I  was  entirely  polTefled  of  my  felf:  Well 
then  (faid  I,)  you  muft  allow  me  to  be  a  proper  Judge  of  what 
I  ought  to  do." — Gen.  Chas.  Lee's  Trial,  p.  129,  ed.  of  1823. 

♦  Note  20,   Page  34. 

Col.  Robert  H.  Harrifon.  Major  Andre  with  Col.  Weft 
Hyde  had  met  Col.  Harrifon  and  Col.  William  Davies  at  Amboy 
in  May,  1779,  to  endeavor  to  negotiate  an  Exchange  of  Prifon- 
ers.  They  remained  from  the  12th  to  the  23d  and  eftefted  no- 
thing.— Sargenfs  Andre,  217. 

Note  21,  Page  35. 

"  For  Witherington  needs  muft  I  wayle 

As  one  in  doleful  Dumps  ; 
For  when  his  Legges  were  fmitten  ofF, 

He  fought  upon  his  Stumpes." — Chevs  Chace. 


Notes.  5  ^ 

No'.e  2  2,  Page  35. 
"  Againil  Sir  Hugh  Montgomery 

So  right  the  Shaft  he  fett. 
The  grey  Goofe-wing  that  was  thereon 

In  his  Heart's  blood  was  wett."— C-^^z'j  Chafe. 

Note  23,  Page  37. 
This  Canto  was   firft  printed  in   Rivington's   Ro;jal  Gazette, 
No.  416,  September  24,  1780. 

Note  24,  Page  37. 
Schralenberg,  a  Village  in   Bergen  County,  N.  J.,    five  Miles 
Northeail  of  Hackenfac. 

Note  25,  Page  37. 
"  Who  kept  a  Dram-Shop." — Note  in  London  Edition. 

Note  26,  Page  39. 
A  New  England  Name  for  a  Horfe,  Mare,  or  Gelding.— iV^/^ 
in  London  Edition. 

Note  27,  Page  40. 
That  is,  the  Lady  had  been  drammed  out  of  the  Lines  as  a 
common  Drunkard  or  Thief:  Cunningham  was  the  Provoft 
Marftial.  "  There  are  a  Number  of  Women  here  of  bad  Char- 
after,  who  are  continually  running  to  New  York,  and  back  again. 
If  they  were  Men,  I  would  flog  them  without  Mercy."  A.  Burr, 
commanding  on  American  Lines  in  Weftchefter  County,  to  Gen. 
McDougall;  White  Plains,  Jan.  21,  x^-jg.— Sargent's  Andre,  245. 

Note  28,  Page  40. 
Cleopatra,  Queen  of  Egypt.— A^tf/^  in  London  Edition. 


52  Notes. 


Note  29,  Page  42. 

"  Caldwell,  a  diffenting  Minifter  at  Elizabeth  Town,  appointed 
Ouarter-mafter  General  to  the  Rebel  Army,  and  afterwards  dif- 
mifTed  for  Embezzlement." — Note  in  London  Edition, 

Rev.  James  Caldwell  of  New  Jerfey,  an  adlive  Whig  and  De- 
puty Ouarter-Mailer  General,  whofe  Wife  was  barbaroufly  fhot 
by  a  newly  enlilled  Soldier  of  Knyphaufen's  command  in  the 
preceding  Summer,  on  no  other  Provocation,  as  was  alleged,  than 
that  fhe  vituperated  him  from  her  Window  as  he  pafled. 

The  Britifh  were  at  this  Time  on  an  Expedition  into  the 
Interior  of  New  Jerfey,  to  favor  an  Uprifmg  of  Loyalills  which 
they  had  been  led  to  believe  needed  only  the  Prefence  of  an 
armed  Force  for  its  Development.  The  invading  Force  con- 
fifted  of  five  thoufand  Men,  and  advanced  to  Springfield,  and 
General  Wafhington  marched  to  the  Short  Hills  in  the  Rear  of 
that  Place  to  await  an  Aftion.  The  Information  which  had 
been  given,  as  to  the  favorable  Temper  of  the  Inhabitants  how- 
ever proved  altogether  unfounded,  and  the  Britilh  Army  returned 
to  the  Place  of  their  Landing  without  cfFeding  any  thing.  It  was 
followed  and  harrafled  by  the  Americans,  and  fome  Lofs  occurred 
on  both  Sides. 

The  New  Jerfey  Gazette,  of  June  21ft,  1780,  mentions  the 
Murder  of  Mrs.  Caldwell  as  follows : 

**  "Asfoon  as  they  came  to  Connefticut  Farms,  feven 
Miles  from  the  Place  of  their  landing,  they  began  the  Exercife  of 
their  aweful  Cruelty.  Although  they  obferved  great  Difcipline 
and  Decorum  in  Elizabethtown,  yet  at  the  Farms  every  Step  was 
marked  with  wanton  Cruelty  and  caufelefs  Devaftations.  They 
fet  Fire  to  and  utterly  deftroyed  the  Prelbyterian  Church,  and 
fourteen  Dwelhng  Houfes  and  Barns,   fo  that  there  are  but  two 


Notes.  53 


Dwelling-hoLifes  remaining  in  tliat  fertile  Settlement.      But  Alas ! 
this  is  only  one  Part  of  the  horrid  Scene. 

In  the  Neighborhood  lived  the  Rev.  James  Caldwell,  whofe 
Zeal  and  Activity  in  the  Caufe  of  his  Country  had  rendered  him 
an  Object  worthy  of  the  Enemy's  keeneft  Refentment.  His 
Vigilance  and  Attention  had  always  evaded  every  Attempt  to  in- 
jure him,  and  therefore  it  was  now  determined  to  wound  him  in 
an  unguarded  Part.  Following  the  abfurd  Principles  of  too  many 
of  our  incautious  Countrymen  he  left  his  Wife  and  Family  at 
Home,  trulling  to  the  Politenefs  and  Humanity  of  the  Enemy 
towards  an  amiable  Woman,  and  a  Number  of  helplefs  and  inno- 
cent Children,  though  he  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  truft  them 
with  his  own  Safety.  He  had  been  warned  of  their  utmoil: 
Hatred  of  him,  and  therefore  diflliaded  from  leaving  his  Family 
in  their  Power;  but,  alas!  his  Confidence  in  their  Benevolence 
towards  the  Helplefs,  has  been  his  Deflruftion. 

Soon  after  polTeffing  themfelves  of  the  Neighborhood,  a  Soldier 
came  to  the  Houfe,  and  putting  his  Gun  to  the  Window  of  the 
Room  where  this  worthy  Woman  was  fitting,  (with  her  Children, 
and  a  Maid  with  an  Infant  in  her  Arms,  alongfide  of  her),  he 
fhot  her  through  the  Lungs  dead  on  the  Spot.  Soon  after  an 
Oiiicer  with  the  HefTians  came  in  and  ordered  a  Hole  dug  and 
her  Body  thrown  in,  and  the  Houfe  to  be  fet  on  Fire.  At  the 
earneft  Requeft  of  an  Officer  of  the  new  Levies,  and  with  fome 
Difficulty,  the  Body  was  fufFered  to  be  carried  to  a  fmall  Houfe 
in  the  Neighborhood,  and  Mr.  Caldwell's  Dwelling  was  imme- 
diately fet  on  fire,  and  every  thing  belonging  to  him  confumed 
together.  The  only  Comfort  arifing  to  this  afflidled  Family  is, 
that  the  Wretch  who  ferved  as  the  Executioner  of  this  murdered 
Lady  (who,  from  her  excellent  Charafter,  deferved  a  better  Fate), 
did  his  Bufinefs  fo  effedually  that  flic  loft  her  Life  without  Dif- 


54  Notes. 


trefs  or  Pain.  Thus  it  is,  that  even  the  tender  Mercies  of  the 
Wicked  are  Cruelty.  This  Melancholy  Affair,  with  their  cruel 
Burnings,  has  raifed  the  Refentment  of  the  whole  Country  to  the 
higheft  Pitch.  They  are  ready  almoft  to  fwear  an  everlafting 
Enmity  to  the  very  Name  of  Briton.  So  far  is  this  Cruelty  and 
Devaftation  from  terrifying  them  to  Submiffion,  that  it  roufes  the 
moft  Timid  to  Feats  of  defperate  Heroifm.  A  moft  worthy  Man, 
who  has  for  four  Years  paft,  devoted  himfelf  to  the  Service  of  his 
Country,  is  thus  left  with  nine  fmall  Children,  deftitute  even  of  a 
Shift  of  Clothes  to  comfort  them.  Many  of  the  Inhabitants  are 
in  a  fimilar  Situation;  fome  Widows,  fome  Aged,  fome  Infirm," 

Chief  Juftice  Marfliall  in  alluding  to  this  Incurfion  fays: 

"  At  the  Connedticut  Farms,  a  flourifliing  Settlement  which 
took  its  Name  from  the  Country  of  thofe  by  whom  it  had  been 
planted,  and  which  had  been  diftinguifhed  for  its  Zeal  in  the 
American  Caufe,  a  Halt  was  made.  In  a  Spirit  of  Revenge  un- 
worthy the  General  of  an  Army,  which  was  in  the  Chara'dler  of 
Tryon,  who  was  prefent,  rather  than  of  Knyphaufen  who  com- 
manded; which  ferved  to  injure  more  than  advance  the  Interefts 
of  thofe  in  whofe  Caufe  he  was  engaged;  and  tended  more  to 
irritate  than  intimidate;  this  Settlement  including  the  Meeting- 
houfe  and  the  Houfe  of  the  Clergyman  belonging  to  the  Village, 
was  reduced  to  Afhes.' 

In  a  Note,  he  adds : 

"  This  Circumftance  would  fcarcely  have  deferved  Notice,  had 
it  not  been  accompanied  by  one  of  thofe  melancholy  Events, 
which  even  War  does  not  authorize,  and  which  the  civilized 
World  condemns,  and  which  made  at  the  Time  a  very  deep 
ImprefTion. 

"  Mrs.  Caldwell  the  Wife  of  the  Clergyman,  who  has  been 
mentioned,  had  been  induced  to  remain  in  her  Houfe,  under  the 


Notes,  5  5 


Perfuafion  that  her  Prefcncc  might  ferve  to  protc6l  it  from  Pillage, 
and  that  her  Perfon  could  not  poffibly  be  endangered,  as  in  the 
Hope  of  prefcrving  the  Farms,  Colonel  Dayton  who  at  that 
Time  commanded  the  Militia,  determined  not  to  halt  in  the  Set- 
tlement, but  to  take  Poft  at  a  narrow  Pafs  on  the  Road  leading 
to  Springfield.  While  flie  was  fitting  in  the  Midll  of  her  Child- 
ren, having  a  fucking  Infant  in  her  Arms,  a  Soldier  came  up  to 
the  Window  and  difcharged  his  Mufket  at  her.  She  received  the 
Ball  in  her  Bofom,  and  inftantly  expired. 

Afhamed  of  an  Aft  fo  univerfally  execrated,  it  was  contended 
by  the  Britifh,  that  this  Lady  was  the  Viftim  of  a  random  Shot, 
and  even  that  the  fatal  Ball  had  proceeded  from  the  Militia  ;  in 
Proof  of  which  lall  AfTertion,  they  infifted  that  the  Ball  had  en- 
tered on  that  Side  which  looked  towards  the  retreating  Americans. 
But  it  was  Notorious  that  the  Militia  made  no  Stand  at  the  Farms, 
and  a  pathetic  Reprefentation  oftheFaft,  made  to  the  Pubhc  by 
the  affljfled  Hufband,  received  univerfal  Credence  and  excited 
univerfal  Indignation.  The  Death  of  Mrs.  Caldwell,  might  in- 
deed be  confidered  as  the  Aft  of  a  fingle  Soldier,  and  therefore 
not  involving  the  Reputation  of  the  Army;  but  when  with  it  was 
connefted,  the  wanton  and  ufelefs  Devaftation  committed  by 
Authority,  thefe  Afts  formed  one  connefted  Whole  in  the  public 
Mind,  and  ferved  ftill  more  to  confirm  the  fettled  Hate  of  the 
well  afFefted,  againft  the  Britilh  Government." — MarfiaWs 
Wajhington,  iv,  225. 

To  relieve  the  Britifh  Caufe  of  the  Odium  which  the  Death  of 
Mrs.  Caldwell   occafioned,  a  Loyalift    named   Fofter,  who  had 
probably  followed   the  Britifli  Army  to  afTift  in  plundering,   ad- 
drcfied  the    following  Letter   to  Rivington's  Gazette,  which  was 
publifhed  on  the  5th  of  Auguft,  1780: 


S6 


Notes. 


"  To  the  Printer. 

Sir.  Agreeable  to  your  Requcft,  I  give  the  following  Narra- 
tive of  what  I  faw,  heard  and  conceived  relative  to  the  Death  of 
Mrs.  Caldwell.  Not,  as  you  fay,  to  coniradidt  the  Rebel  Ac- 
counts (for  they  fufficiently  contraditt  one  another),  but  for  the 
Satisfadion  of  fuch  judicious  Isquirers  as  wifh  to  be  informed. 

I,  without  being  requefted  by  any  one,  or  attached  to  any 
Detatchment  of  the  Army,  from  mere  Curiofity,  marched  from 
Elizabethtown  with  a  Column  of  Britifli  Troops.  I  did  not  en- 
quire, nor  do  I  yet  know  who  commanded  them.  The  Column 
halted  near  a  Houfe  faid  to  be  Mr.  Caldwell's.  I  foon  faw  a 
Group  of  Soldiers  in  and  about  faid  Houfe,  and  on  my  nearer 
Approach,  heard  fome  of  them  mention  (rather  piteoufly,)  a 
Woman's  being  fliot.  As  foon  as  the  Crowd  difperfed,  I  en- 
tered the  Houfe,  and  not  without  Difficulty,  found  her  lying  on 
her  Back  on  a  Bed  that  flood  in  a  fmall  dark  back  Bed  room, 
(for  I  don't  recolleft  it  had  any  Window,)  tho'  it  had  two.Doors 
that  opened  into  other  Apartments. 

She  was  to  Appearance  dead,  and  had  a  Cloth  careleflly  thrown 
over  her  Face,  which  I  did  not  remove,  but  left  her,  expefting 
the  Troops  would  foon  march,  when  her  Friends  might  take 
Care  of  her.  Some  Time  after  this,  a  Detachment  moved  near 
Rahway  River,  I  followed,  and  did  not  return;  in  lefs  than  three 
Hours,  when  fome  Perfon  who  was  near  Mr.  Caldwell's  Houfe, 
told  me  the  Woman  was  ftrip ped,  and  thrown  ofF  the  Bed,  but 
that  a  Britifli  Officer's  coming  in,  had  prevented  the  Soldiers 
from  carrying  off  her  Cloaths.  On  entering  the  Houfe,  I  found 
her  laying  on  her  Face  on  the  Floor  befide  the  Bed,  and  mofl.  of 
what  Cloaths  had  been  pulled  off  by  her  Side.  I  concluded  fhe 
had  been  taken  off  the  Bed  that  the  Bedding  might  be  taken  from 
under  her. 


Notes.  57 

As  I  came  out  of  the  Houfc,  I  met  at  the  Door,  a  Mr.  Benja- 
min Dunn,  a  Refugee  from  Pifcataway,  (New  Jerky,)  who 
feemed  fcnfibly  touched  with  the  humane  Feelings  of  an  informed 
Loyaliir.  He  had  not  yet  fccn  the  Corpfe,  but  defircd  me  to 
Hievv  her  to  him,  I  did  fo.  We  then  examined  every  Circum- 
ftance  in  our  Power,  in  order  if  poffible,  to  difcover  the  Caufc 
of  the  Lady's  Death,  who  by  this  Time  we  had  heard  was  Mis. 
Caldwell.  We  found  that  on  Account  of  a  Pantry  that  was 
building  on  the  back  Side  of  the  Houfe,  a  fmall  Spot  of  Covering 
had  been  pulled  off  oppofite  to  the  Bed  whereon  the  Lady  fat. 
The  only  Ball  we  could  difcover  that  touched  the  Houfe,  was  the 
one  that  killed  her.  It  appeared  to  have  come  from  a  northern 
Diredlion  (in  the  Courfe  of  the  Rebel  fire,)  and  paffed  between 
Joints  of  the  plaftercd  Wall.  It  feemed  to  have  pafled  fo  far 
above  the  Bed  as  to  have  hit  her  above  her  Girdle,  and  its  paffing 
through  her  left  Breaft,  I  account  for,  by  fuppofmg  her  to  have 
fat  in  a  ftooping  Pofture. 

Mr.  Dunn  and  myfelf,  (for  I  cannot  fay  which  propofed  it,) 
concluded  to  go  to  the  neareft  Houfe,  which  we  did,  and  afked 
the  Woman  to  call  fome  of  the  neighboring  Women,  and  go  to 
lay  the  Corpfe  out.  This  fhe  declined,  but  faid,  flic  would  fend 
for  Affirtance,  if  we  could  get  Help  to  remove  her  to  her  Houfc, 
which  was  done;  and  at  the  Inihince  of  Mr.  W.  Chandler,  a 
Heffian  Sentinel  was  fet  at  the  Door,  while  the  Women  per- 
formed their  laft  kind  Office  to  their  Fiiend.  At  this  Houfe  was 
a  young  Woman  who  faid  that  flic  fat  on  the  fmie  Bed  with  Mrs. 
Caldwell  at  the  Time  fhe  was  fhot  by  the  Continental  Troops. 
About  two  Hours  after  the  Corpfe  was  removed,  Mr.  Caldwell's 
Houfe  was  fet  on  fire. 

I  am  Sir,  Your  moft  obedient  Humble  Servant, 

Ebenezer  Foster. 

H 


58 


Notes. 


[Mr.  Foftcr,  (who  gives  the  above  Account  of  Mrs.  Caldwell's 
Fate,  was  a  Juftice  of  Peace  in  the  County  of  Middlefcx  in  New 
Jerfey,)  is  a  Gentleman  of  great  Integrity,  and  a  very  loyal  Sub- 
jeft.]" — Note  by  Rivitigton, 

Mr.  Caldwell  was  himfelf  killed  by  an  American  Soldier, 
Nov.  24,  1 78 1  —  Sargent's  Andr},  247. 

A  Britifh  Account  of  this  Invafion  into  New  Jerfey  is  given  in 
Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  No.  389,  June  21,  1780,  as  follows: 

Operations, 
Of  the  Roy  a/  Army  in  New  Jerfey. 

To  Mr.  Rivington. 

Elizabethtown,  June  20,  1780. 
Sir,  As  the  Rebels,  agreeable  to  their  ufual  Pradice,  have 
publiflied  many  glaring  Falfehoods  relative  to  the  late  Movement 
into  New  Jerfey,  I  have  been  induced,  from  a  regard  to  Truth, 
to  fend  you  the  following  Account  of  our  Operations,  which  I 
requeft  you  will  publifh  in  your  Gazette  tomorrow. 

A  British  Officer. 

On  Tuefday  Night,  the  6th  Inft.,  the  Troops  made  their  firft 
Landing  upon  Elizabethtown  Meadows,  and  were  crofled  over 
by  Divifions  in  fucccffion  from  Statcn  Ifland,  with  fome  light 
Artillery,  taking  their  Route  by  Elizabethtown  and  Connefticut 
Farms,  towards  Springfield.  Dayton's  Regiment,  receiving  Inti- 
mation of  our  Approach,  retired  with  Precipitation,  as  did  alfo 
the  Jerfey  Regiments  which  compofe  Maxwell's  Brigade,  from 
their  Pofition  near  Camps ;  the  Militia  of  the  Country,  although 
incapable  of  making  any  fixed  Refiftance,  did  their  utmoft  to  in- 
commode the  Troops  upon  their  March,  and  colledirg  from  dif- 
ferent Quarters,  they  aflembled  in  fome  Force  in  the  Vicinity  of 
Springfield,  forming  a   Jundion  with  the   Jerfey  Brigade  at   that 


Notes,  59 

Place,   and    it  is  faid  that  in  the  Courfe  of  Wednefday  the  7th 
Inll.    they  were  fupported   by  another   Brigade    detached    from 

Morris  Town. 

The  Troops  halted  upon  fome  Heights  beyond  Conneaicut 
Farms,  where  they  were  ordered  to  take  Foil  till  fuch  Time  as 
the  Remainder  of  the  Artillery,  the  Provifions  and  the  other 
Waggons,  with  the  Corps  which  brought  up  the  Rear,  joined  the 
Army.  From  this  Circumftance  it  is  probable,  the  Rebels  con- 
ceived, that  whatever  might  have  been  the  original  Plan,  it  was 
intended  to  penetrate  no  further.  Increafmg  in  Numbers,  they 
ufcd  every  Exertion  in  their  Power,  in  flying  Parties  to  fire  upon 
the  advanced  Picquets,  and  during  the  Courfe  of  the  Day,  they 
made  different  Attacks  upon  a  Body  of  Yagers,  which  was  ad- 
vanced upon  the  Springfield  Road  ;  this  produced  much  firing 
upon  both  Sides. 

During  the  Courfe  of  the  Evening  it  is  reported  that  Informa- 
tion was  received  from  the  Southward  which  rendered  it  expedi- 
ent to  defer  the  Objeft  in  Agitation,  and  about  two  Hours  after- 
wards the  Troops  returned  towards  Elizabeth  Town,  without  a 
Shot  being  fired,  taking  Port  upon  the  Heights  near  the  Point. 

On  Thurfday  the  8th  Inil:.  the  Rebels  advanced  in  fome  Force 
to  Elizabeth  Town,  and  made  an  Attack  upon  the  zzd  Regiment, 
which  was  polled  fome  little  Diftance  in  Front  of  the  Line. 
This  Regiment  was  ordered  to  fall  back,  and  the  Rebels  con  • 
ceiving  it  was  the  Rear  Guard  of  the  Army  they  advanced  with 
fome  Rapidity,  but  were  foon  checked,  and  retired  with  Pre- 
cipitation. 

The  Lofs  fuftained  during  the  Courfe  of  this  Service  is  incon- 
fiderable,  nor  can  that  of  the  Rebels  be  determined,  as  they  con- 
ceal it. 

Whilll  the  Troops  were  advancing  to  Conncflicut  Farms,  the 


6o  Notes. 

Rebels  fired  out  of  the  Houfcs  agreeable  to  their  ulual  Pradice, 
from  which  Circumftance,  Mrs.  Caldwell  had  the  Misfortune  to 
be  Shot  by  a  random  Ball.  What  heightens  the  Singularity  of 
this  Lady's  unhappy  Fate,  is,  that  upon  Enquiry  it  appears  be- 
yond a  Doubt,  that  the  Shot  was  fired  by  the  Rebels  themfelves, 
as  it  entered  the  Side  of  the  Houfe  from  their  Direftion,  and 
lodged  in  the  Wall  neareft  the  Troops  then  advancing. 

The  Manner  in  which  the  Rebels  aggravate  this  unfortunate 
Affair  in  their  Publications,  is  of  a  Piece  with  their  uniform  Con- 
duct, plaufable,  but  fallacious,  nor  is  it  to  be  wondered  at,  if  a 
Rebellion  which  originated  in  Falfehood,  is  profecuted  with  De- 
ceit ;  a  Soldiery  received  with  Smiles  one  Moment,  and  the  fol- 
lowing Inftant  butchered,  (for  in  a  military  View  it  merits  no 
other  Name,)  by  a  Set  of  People,  who  by  their  Clothing  and 
Appointments  cannot  be  diftinguiflied  from  the  quiet  Inhabitants 
of  the  Country,  may  well  be  fuppofed  to  be  exafpcrated  ;  nor 
need  we  be  furprifed  at  their  ufing  the  Torch  to  Dwellings  which 
they  find  hourly  occupied  by  armed  Men,  who  either  want  the 
Generofity  or  the  Spirit  to  clofe  the  prefent  unhappy  Conteft,  by 
a  manly,  open.  Soldier-like  Decifion  ;  whatever  may  be  the  hu- 
mane Wifhcs  of  the  Commanders,  human  Nature  at  Times,  fteps 
over  the  Barrier  of  Difcipline,  and  Men  of  Judgment  and  Can- 
dour, in  the  great  Scale  of  political  Reafoning,  do  not  wonder  at 
Occurrences,  which  their  private  Feelings  fhrink  at.  Such  are 
the  Efi'eds  of  inteftine  Divifions;  miferable  is  the  Fate  of  that 
Country,  which  is  the  Theatre  of  fuch  a  Quarrel,  and  accurfed 
is  the  Man,  or  the  Set  of  Men,  who  from  Motives  of  private 
Lucre,  or  inordinate  Ambition,  have  fanned  a  Flame,  which  if 
they  are  willing,  they  are  now  perhaps  unable  to  extinguifli. 

A  British  Officer. 


Notes,  6 1 

"  After  the  Rebels  had  plundered  the  Inhabitants  of  Staten 
inand,  in  their  Defcent  lall  January,  Lord  Stirling  (who  com- 
manded the  Invaders)  iiTued  an  Order  direded  to  Parfon  Cald- 
well, for  the  collefting  and  reftoringall  the  Property  to  the  fevcral 
oyNn(txi"—Rn'irigton's  Gazette,  ]\i\Y  19,  1780. 

To  prove  that  this  Order  was  not  obeyed,  a  Letter  is  publilhcd 
in  which  it  appears  that  a  confiderable  Amount  of  fuch  Articles 
as  MattralTes,  Blankets,  &c.,  had  been  retained  for  Family  Ufe, 
by  fome  Pcrfons  connefted  with  the  Expedition. 

Note  30,  Page  43. 

Calling  himfelf,  becaufe  he  was  ordered  not  to  do  it,  Earl  ot 
Stirling,  though  no  Sterling  Earl.— iVo/^  in  London  Edition. 

The  Allufion  is  here  made  to  an  Expedition  undertaken  to 
Staten  Ifland,  for  the  Purpofe  of  furprifing  Skinner's  new  Corps, 
that  had  been  undertaken  by  the  Americans  under  Lord  Stirling 
in  the  preceding  January.  It  was  not  Succefsful  and  the  thinly 
clothed  party  that  compofed  the  Expedition  fufFered  from  the 
intcnfe  Cold.  It  is  faid  that  five  hundred  Soldiers  were  Froft- 
bitten.     A  few  Prifoners  were  taken  by  the  Enemy. 

The  following  Account  of  this  Expedition  was  publiflied  m 
Rivington's  Gazette,  January  19,  1780  : 

"  On  Friday  Night,  the  14th  Inftant,  a  large  Detachment  from 
the  Rebel  Army,  confilling  it  is  fuppofed  of  between  3  and  4000 
Men,  with  fix  Pieces  of  Cannon,  and  two  Howitzers,  moved 
fuddenly  from  the  Neighbourhood  of  Morriftown,  and  being, 
(as  it  is  reported,)  tranfported  in  Sleighs  over  the  Ice,  reached 
Staten  Ifland  before  Daybreak  in  the  Morning  of  the  i8ih, 
bending  their  March  towards  Decker's  Ferry. 

"  Col.  Bufkirk   commanding   the  4th   Battalion  of  Brigadier 
General  Skinner's  Brigade   pofted  there,    having  received  Intclli- 


62  Notes. 

gence  of  their  Approach,  judged  it  proper  to  retire  towards  Robi- 
foil's  Ferry,  not  being  in  Force  fufficient  to  oppofc  fo  confidera- 
ble  a  Corps.  The  Rebels  purfued  their  March,  and  before 
Noon,  took  Pofl  upon  the  Heights  near  the  Redout,  conftruftcd 
at  the  north  End  of  the  Ifland  ;  from  their  Pofition,  cutting  oft' 
the  Communications  betwixt  the  Corps  hutted  there,  and  the 
Troops  at  Richmond  and  the  Flag  Stafi^.  They  remained  in  this 
Situation  till  early  in  the  Morning  of  the  i6th,  when  they  were 
obfcrved  retiring  from  Staten  Ifland,  without  attempting  any 
thing.  They  burnt  Decker's  Houfe,  and  a  very  few  fmall  Vef- 
fels  frozen  in  by  the  Ice  at  that  Place.  A  fmall  Detachment 
which  harraffed  their  Rear,  made  a  few  Prifoners,  feveral  Defert - 
ers  came  to  the  Different  Pofts  during  their  Stay  on  the  Ifland. 
They  committed  many  Exceffes,  plundering  and  diftrefling  the 
Inhabitants.  Sixteen  Prifoners  had  already  been  fent  to  New 
York,  and  it  is  imagined  there  are  others  not  yet  arrived  from 
Staten  Ifland." 

In  Retaliation  for  this,  a  Detachment  of  Britifli  Troops  on 
the  Night  of  January  25th,  furprifed  an  American  Poft  at  Eliza- 
bethtown,  and  took  off  thirty-four  Ofiicers  and  Privates,  and  feveral 
prominent  Citizens. — Rivingtoti' s  Gazette,  Jan.  29,  1780. 

Note  31,  Page  44. 
"  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  a  French  Coxcomb,   in    the  Rebel 
Service." — Note  in  London  Edition. 

Note  32,  Page  44. 
"  A  fmall    Head-land   in    Hudfon's  River,    oppofite   to  New 
York." — "Note  in  London  Edition.      It  is  now  in  Jerfey  City. 


Notes.  63 

Note  33,  Page  44. 
Mifs  Sufannah  Livingfton,  Daughter  of  Governor  William 
Livingilon  of  New  Jerfey,  who  was  fufpetled  of  writing  political 
Articles,  in  foine  of  which  Andre  had  come  in  for  a  Share  of 
Satire.  Mifs  Livingilon  fubfequently  married  John  Cievcs 
Symmes,  the  Father-in-law  of  Prefident  Harrifon. 

At  the  Time  of  the  Invafion  of  the  Britidi  to  Springfield,  the 
Refidencc  of  Governor  Livingfton  was  in  the  Hands  ot  the 
Enemy  but  was  guarded  againft  Injury.  It  was  claimed  to  have 
been  reported  in  Rivington's  Paper,  that  while  fome  BritiOi  Offi- 
cers were  at  the  Houfe,  one  of  them  was  prefented  with  a  Rofc 
by  this  Lady,  and  that  afterwards  he  was  wounded  by  a  Shot  fired 
on  the  Premifes. 

No  Article  of  this  Kind  was  however  publifhed  in  that  Paper, 
cither  on  or  near  the  Time  alleged,  but  it  led  to  the  following 
Correfpondence : 

[From  the  New  Jerfey  Journal,  July  12,  ly^O-] 
Mr.  Rivington,  according  to  his  ufual  Praftice,  has  infertcd 
in  his  Gazette  of  the  29th  ult.,  under  the  Signature  of  one  of  my 
Sex,  the  groflcft  Falfehoods,  refpeding  what  happened  to  Col. 
Gordon,  near  Governor  Livingfton's  Houfe,  that  ever  entered 
the  Heart  of  Man,  Almoft  every  Syllable  of  that  Publication,  is 
a  moft  villainous  Lie.  There  was  not  a  fmgle  Mufkct  fired  from 
behind  the  Governor's  Houfe,  nor  Fields,  nor  was  it  the  Colonel 
that  was  wounded,  who  had  the  Rofe  in  the  Morning,  but  a 
Colonel  Woromb,  an  Heffian  Ofiicer,  who  afked  Leave  to  pick 
one  as  he  was  on  his  Horfc.  This,  Mr.  Printer,  you  may  de- 
pend on  as  a  Fad,  and  it  is  in  the  Power  of  Colonel  Gordon, 
and  Col.  Woromb  to  confirm  my  Words. 

1  am  your  Humble  Servant, 

Cl.ARINDA. 


6+ 


Notes. 


Mr.  Rivingt07i  prefents  his  mojl  refpellful  Compliments  to  Cla- 
rinda,  and  ajjures  her  he  is  perfectly  innocent  of  the  Charge  refpeSI- 
ing  the  Rofe,  and  other  Imputations  in  the  above  Addrefs.  He 
has  not  printed  or  publifl^ed,  direHly  or  indireilly,  a  Jingle  Line 
upon  the  SubjeB,  and  he  takes  leave  to  add  that  no  Lady  will  from 
his  Performance,  ever  meet  with  Injury  or  Difgujl. 

We  Conje£ture  the  following  Reply  may  have  been  vvitten  by 
Major  Andre  : 

CARD  TO  MR.  RIVINGTON. 

Rosalinda  prefents  her  Compliments  to  Mr.  Rivington,  re- 
gretting that  the  Name  of  one  of  the  Sex  fhould  be  connefted 
with  'Terms,  fo  very  unlike  thofe  ufed  by  the  diftinguifhcd  Part  of 
the  Fair  !  However  his  Zeal  and  Loyalty  may  urge  him  through 
Mijiake,  to  be  poetical  in  his  profe  Produdions  occafonally,  the 
World  at  large  muft  quit  him,  of  having  merited  the  unguarded 
Attack  of  the  Clarinda  of  Chatham,  he  having  been  filent  of  late 
in  what  regards  La  petite  Guerre;  and  wholly  occupied  by  the 
tremendous  Maneuvres  of  the  grand  Fleets  of  Spain,  France,  and 
Holland,  the  former  of  which  he  has  given  a  good  Account  of 
uncontradicted,  and  'tis  hoped,  God  willing,  will  foon  give  a  fur- 
ther good  Account  of  the  Jlly  next  in  Rotation  for  Flagelation. 

Rofalinda  is  informed  that  the  Britifh  Officer  refufed  the  Ho- 
nour of  the  Rofe  by  Clarinda,  is  fo  very  grateful  for  the  Favour, 
that  he  will  not  relinquilh  his  Right  to  it,  and  for  thefrjl  Time, 
and  as  'tis  faid  (he  hopes  the  laft  Time  in  his  Life)  he  brags  of 
the  Lady's  Favours  !  Received  on  Horfe  back,  in  like  Manner  as 
the  gallant  Heffian  Partisan,  honored  by  the  Sign  Manual  of  the 
fair  Clarinda  !  It  is  whifpered,  that  on  the  Return  from  the  Ex- 
curfion,  notwithilanding  he  wore  the  fweet  Prefent  next  his  left 
Breaft,  the  Altcrnoon  he  received  another,  in  the  Vicinity  of  Mr. 


Notes.  65 

William  L 's  Houfe,  tho'  alfo  very  honourable,  not  near 

fo  agreeable  as  that  he  had  the  Pleafure  to  receive  at  4  o'Clock 
that  Morning ! 

Note  34,  Page  45. 
By  a  Remarkable  Coincidence  Major  Andre  was  arrefted  on 
the  fame  Day  that  this  Canto  was  publifhed  in  the  Royal  Gazette. 
He  was  probably  preparing  to  leave  for  the  American  Lines 
when  the  Poem  was  written.  Brigadier  General  Wayne  was  one 
of  the  Board  of  General  Officers  that  fentenced  Andre  to  Death, 
and  he  doubtlefs  witneffed  his  Execution, 

According  to  Mr.  Frank  Moore,  the  following  Lines  were 
found  under  Andre's  Signature,  to  a  manufcript  Copy  of  this 
Poem  : 

"  And  when  the  epic  Strain  was  fung 

The  Poet  by  the  Neck  was  hung, 
h  nd  to  his  Coft  he  finds  too  late 

The  dung-born  Tribe  decides  his  Fate." 


■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■g 


INDEX. 


ADVERTISEMENT    of 
■^^  London  Edition,  9. 
Alexander,   Wm.,    Lord   Stir- 
ling- 43- 
Andre,   Major  John,    21,  50, 

64,  65. 
Letter  of,  1 7. 
Arnold,  General,  19. 

BERGEN,  4,  6,  26. 
Bergen  Neck,  11. 
Bergen  Point,   22. 
Block  Houfe  at  Bull's  Ferry,  ;?, 
12,  19,20,21,28,33,48. 
Bull,  Abfalom,  wounded,  16. 
Bull,  George,  wounded,    16. 
Bull's  Ferry,  12,  20,  23. 
Burr,  Aaron,  51. 
Bufldrk,  Col.,  61. 
Butler,  Parody  on,  9. 

/^ALDWELL,   Rev.   James, 

43.  52'  53.61. 
Killed,  58. 
Caldwell,  Mrs.  James,  murder- 
ed,  52,   53,   54,   55,  56, 
57,  58,  60. 
Cattle,  Attempt  to  take,  11,  17. 
Chandler,  W.,  57. 
Cheftnut  Hill,  31. 


Chevy  Chafe  quoted,  50,  5I. 
Clarinda,  Letter  by,  63. 

Reply  to,  64. 
Cleopatra,  5  1. 
Clinton,  Sir  Henry,  Letter  from, 

20. 
Clothing  to  be  iffued  to  Loyal- 

ifts,  18. 
Complimentary  Notice  of  Col. 

Cuyler,  17. 

of  Capt.  Ward,  23. 
Connedlicut  Farms,  52,  54,  58, 

59- 

Country  Dances,  Suggeftion  re- 
lative to,  19. 
Cow  Chace,  a  Poem,  25. 
Crawford,  Lieut.,  wounded,  13. 
Cunningham,  40,  51. 
Cuyler,  Col.,  3,  15,  16,  17. 

rjAYTON,  Col.  55. 

"^'^   Dayton's  Regiment,  58. 

Decker's  Ferry,  61,  62. 

De  Hart,  Lieut.,  killed,  13. 

Delaware,  26. 

Deftitution  of  American  Army, 

5- 

Dunlap,  Mr.,  quoted,  4. 

Dunn,  Benjamin,  57. 


68  Index. 


tpAST  Hampton,  L.  I.,  20.  JERSEY  Brigade,  58. 

■"-^  Englifh  Neighborhood,  28,  J    Jerfey  City,  62. 

48. 

Ehzabethtown,  52,  58,  59,62.  1Z"NYPHAUSEN,  Gen.,  52, 

''^  54. 

PEALY,  John  and  Ezekiel, 

■*•     wounded,  16.  T    ADY'S  Card,  and  Compli- 

Fort  Lee,  16.  ments,  19. 

Poller,  Ebenezer,  55,  57,  58.  La  Fayette,  Marquis  de,  5,  44, 

France,  Fleets  of,  64.  62. 

Freedom's  Pole,  27.  Lee,  Gen.  Charles,  50. 

Lee,  Major  Henry,  17,  26,  31, 

GERMAIN,  Lord,  Letter  to,  ,        ^^' ^d  t^\  p 

'  Lee,  Gen.  Robert  E.,  17. 

T        '  r  Letter  from  Gen.  Wafhin^ton, 
Letter  from,  23.  t>      * 

Gordon,  Col.,  63.  ^       '^         ^,.   ^ 

^  l~.        '  1  -^  Gen.  Henry  Llmton,  20. 

Green,  General,  c.  t\/i  •       >    j^      - 

'  '  -'  Major  Andre,  17. 

H  Liberty  Pole,  48. 

AMADRYAD,  38,  41.  Livingllon,  Sufannah,  44,  63. 

Hamilton,  Alexander,  34,  Livingrton,  Gov.  William,  67., 
50.         _  65. 

Hammond,  Lieut,,  wounded,  13. 

Harrifon,  Col.  Robert  H.,  34,  ATeDOUGALL,  Gen.,  51. 

-.^      •,-  '    r.    rj         /r  McKenzie,  Frederick,  22. 

Harrilon,  rrelident,  03.  a/t  t\,t     j      t  u      i  -n  j      c 

xj  I     -rr    J      T        va       o  McMurdv,  John,  killed,  16. 

natsto  beiliued  toLoyalilts,  lb.  ,,     r.    n  •  ot-  r  t  a- 

TT         „  ,  ^         '  Marftall,  Chief  Jultice,  54. 

Hays,  i.01     17-  Maxwell's  Brigade,  58. 

Holland,  rleets  or,  64.  a/t     .  c-    tj    u 

„  J,-     '         ,       '    T^  Montgomery,  Sir  Hugh,  ci. 

Hudlon,  32,  62.  Tv,T  PI  .  J    X 

XT      •       •^   \-      1  Moore,  frank,  quoted,  oc. 

Huntmgton,  Stephen,  14.  jyj         j^  •        1, 

Hyde,  Col.  Weft,  50.  MoSft^  59.  61. 

Moylan,  Col.  Stephen,  11,  15, 
INTRODUCTION,  g.  17. 

Iryine,  James,  49.  Mullan,  John,  wounded,  16. 
Irving,  [or  Irvine]    Gen.  Wil- 
liam,  10,  15,  20,  31,  37,  '^EWARK,  N.  I-,  22. 
42>  49-  •'-^    New  Bridge,  26,  47. 


Index, 


69 


QRANGETOWN,  47,  48. 

DASSAICK,  26. 

Pegafus,  41. 
Philips,  Thomas,  killed,  16. 
Pifcataway,  57. 
Preface,  3. 
Preface    of    London    Edition, 

1781,    10. 
Proftor,  Col.  Thomas,  10,  15, 

17,  20,  26,  31,  48. 
Prior's  Mills,  6. 

T>  AHWAY  River,  56. 

Richmond,  Staten  Ifland, 

62. 
Rivington,  Card  to,  64. 
Robifon's  Ferry,  62. 
Rofalinda,  Card  by,  64. 
Rofe   prefented   to   an  Ofiiccr, 

6^,  64. 

C  ARGENT,  Winthrop,  quot- 
ed, 4,  48,  49, 50,  5 1,  58,  65. 
Schralenburgh,   37,  51. 
Shannon,  26. 

Sharp,  Alexander,  wounded,  16. 
Short  Hills,  N.  J.,  52. 
Skinner's  Corps,  61. 
Sloops  burnt,  14. 


Soupaan,  26,  47. 
Spain,  Fleets  of,  64. 
Sparks's  Wafhington  quoted,  49, 
Springfield,  N.  J.,   52,  58,  63. 
Staten  Ifland,  43,  61,  62. 
Stewart,  Col.,  17. 
Stirling,  Earl  of,  32,  61. 
Symmes,  John  Cleves,  63. 

'T^ANNER,Gen.  Wayne  thus 

called,  25. 
Tappan,  26,  47. 
Thompfon,  John,  4. 
Tinack,  28,  48,  49. 
Tryon,  General,  54. 

VyARD,  Capt.  Thomas,  3, 

.  i5»  17.  22,  23. 
Wafhington,  General,  4,  5,  7, 

10,  II,  17,34,48,50,52 
Wayne,   Gen.   Anthony,   3,  6, 

10,  II,  12,  15,  17,  18,20, 

25.27,29,31,32,39,40, 

41,45,47,  65. 
White  Plains,  51. 
Withrington,  35,  50. 
Woromb,  Col.,  63. 


VAGERS,  59. 


'    IL>      ^'>.'— r   I   \u 


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